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Background: This study examines how neighborhood socioeconomic status (nSES) and ethnic composition are associated with breast cancer risk for Asian American women. Methods: We linked individual level data from a population-based case–control study of breast cancer among Asian American women with neighborhood level data in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area (cases: n = 118, controls: n = 390). Multivariable logistic regression models examined the association between nSES, ethnic composition, and odds of having breast cancer. Results: Asian American women living in neighborhoods with high nSES and high ethnic composition had the highest odds of breast cancer, compared to those living in neighborhoods with high nSES and low ethnic composition (OR = 0.34, 95% CI [0.16–0.75]) or in neighborhoods with low nSES and high ethnic composition (OR = 0.37, 95% CI [0.17–0.83]). Discussion: Neighborhood socioeconomic and ethnic contexts are associated with breast cancer for Asian American women. We discuss explanations and avenues for future research.

We were excited to see the article by Denniston et al.1 describing validity of self-reported hepatitis B immunization using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Hepatitis B virus (HBV) affects more than 2 million Americans,2 and many HBV-focused community-based programs rely on self-reported immunization history for assessment of client needs, so a clear understanding of the validity of self-reported immunization is vital. These findings have implications in the design and conduct of HBV prevention programs in many communities.

Background The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated health and social disparities among US Pacific Islanders (PI). Historically, PIs have experienced a high burden of mental illness yet have underutilized mental health services. These already large treatment gaps in mental health care among PIs may worsen during the COVID-19 pandemic. In the face of pre-existing challenges, little is known about the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health outcomes among PIs. Methods A community-based, cross-sectional survey was administered to members of 13 PI churches across the San Francisco Bay Area. We assessed the burden of psychological distress among PIs and its associations with demographic, sociocultural, and health factors. Key Results Among 439 PI respondents, nearly half reported moderate or severe psychological distress. Only about one-tenth took prescription medication for mental health and less than half utilized a mental health provider in the past year. Most trusted PI churches to provide health and social services. Respondents reporting moderate or severe psychological distress were less likely to utilize a mental health provider in the past year and more likely to feel marginalized, excluded, isolated, or alienated from society “most of the time” or “always.” Psychological distress was also associated with “fair” or “poor” health status, female gender, older adults, low trust in PI churches to provide health and social services, and concern over household finances. Conclusion Partnerships with faith-based and community-based organizations are essential to address unmet mental health needs and promote support-seeking behaviors among PIs during this ongoing pandemic and beyond.

In the USA, cancer is the leading cause of death for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), but little is known about the unmet needs of AAPI cancer survivors, especially from a national perspective. Using a community-based participatory research approach, we partnered with the Asian and Pacific Islander National Cancer Survivors Network and the Asian American Cancer Support Network to design and conduct a cross-sectional survey to understand the unmet needs of a national sample of AAPI cancer survivors. We assessed unmet needs in 10 domains: day-to-day activities, financial expenses, emotional concerns, medical treatment, cancer information, home care, nutrition, physical concerns, family relationships, and spirituality. We also assessed self-reported measures related to quality of life. This national sample of AAPI cancer survivors included people from 14 states and two territories who had been diagnosed with a broad range of cancers, including cancer of the breast, ovary/uterus/cervix, prostate, blood, and other sites. Over 80 % reported at least one unmet need. Participants reported an average of 8.4 unmet needs, spanning an average of 3.9 domains. Most commonly reported were unmet needs pertaining to physical concerns (66 %), day-to-day activities (52 %), and emotional concerns (52 %). This is the first report of unmet needs in a national sample of AAPI cancer survivors with a range of different cancer types. It describes the areas of greatest need and points to the importance of devoting more resources to identifying and addressing unmet needs for the underserved population of AAPI cancer survivors.

BackgroundData are limited on effective methods for recruiting persons, especially from ethnically diverse populations, into population-based studies. The goal of this study was to evaluate the variation among and representativeness of controls identified using multiple methods for a population-based case–control study of breast cancer among Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPIs) in the San Francisco Bay Area.MethodsWe used a unique combination of targeted recruitment strategies, including address-based sampling, community-based methods, and internet-based and media-based approaches for recruiting controls, frequency matched on age and ethnicity to a population-based sample of cases. To characterise the participating controls, we compared the distribution of sociodemographic characteristics and cancer risk factors between recruitment sources using χ2 tests. To ensure that the controls we recruited were representative of the underlying at-risk population, we compared characteristics of the controls, by ethnicity and in aggregate, to data from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS), and adjusted the relative mix of recruitment strategies throughout the study as needed to achieve representativeness.ResultsAs expected, controls (n=483) recruited by any single method were not representative. However, when aggregated across methods, controls were largely representative of the underlying source population, as characterised by CHIS, with regard to the characteristics under study, including nativity, education, marital status and body mass index.ConclusionsA multimode approach using targeted recruitment strategies is an effective and feasible alternative to using a single recruitment method in identifying a representative, diverse control sample for population-based studies.

Good population health data are often taken for granted, and the people and organizations that gather it are often unsung heroes. For communities of color, immigrants, the LGBTQ population, and other special populations, such as the 50 ethnic and 100 language groups that make up Asian Americans (AA) and Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (NHPI), generating good population -- representative data continues to be a major challenge. For AAs and NHPIs, characteristics of good population data are in-language administration and cultural adaptation of surveys, detailed collection of ethnic groups within the AA and NHPI aggregate categories, and adequate samples for reportable estimates, oversampling of smaller ethnic groups-elements that were non-existent 30 years ago. Nationally, AA and NHPI population health data today are products of the mettle, vigilance, and constant relay of data heroes representing many sectors and communities who have paved the way for all individuals to be recognized and counted.

Background: Functionally, many CBPR projects operate through a model of academic partners providing research expertise and community partners playing a supporting role. Objectives: To demonstrate how national umbrella organizations deeply rooted in communities, cognizant of community needs, and drawing on the insights and assets of community partners, can lead efforts to address health disparities affecting their constituents through research. Methods: Case studies of two Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander national organizations Results: Strategically engaging a diverse range of partners and securing flexible funding mechanisms that support research were important facilitators. Main challenges included limited interest of local community organizations whose primary missions as service or health care providers may deprioritize research. Conclusions: Efforts to make research relevant to the work of community partners and to instill the value of research in community partners, as well as flexible funding mechanisms, may help to promote community-driven research.